If you want to grow your business and close the skills gap in your organisation, sometimes the only option is to cast a wider net. Hiring your first overseas employee might sound like a lot of extra red tape, but once you are set up as a UK visa sponsor, the process is actually quite simple.
If you’re in a hurry to start hiring, there are a few simple ways to speed up the process. As with most UK Visas and Immigration processes, if you’re willing to part with a little extra money, you can have your case seen faster.
Just remember that paying extra for the sponsor licence priority service will not guarantee a positive outcome. You also need to hold up your end of the deal by providing the relevant documents in a timely manner.
In this guide, we will explore the benefits of costs associated with using the sponsor licence priority service so you can decide if it is worth parting with the extra cash.
How much does the sponsor licence priority service cost?
The sponsor licence priority service costs £500, and this is on top of your sponsor licence fee of either £536 for a small company or charitable organisation, or £1476 for a medium to large company.
Paying the additional fee does not guarantee a positive outcome. The service level agreement states that the Home Office will attempt to reach a decision in 10 working days, but there are situations where this might not be possible.
If you have a very complicated application or further checks are required, then you may need to wait a little longer for a decision.
Can I get a refund if my application is unsuccessful?
No, your sponsor licence priority service fee will not be refunded if your application is unsuccessful. The only instance where your fee would be refunded would be if the Home Office is unable to process your application in the stated time frame for reasons that are not related to the complexity of your application.
For example, if staff sickness means that they don’t have enough workers to cover all of the cases, then your application fee would be refunded if a decision is not reached in 10 days. Likewise, if a computer error delayed your application, then your fee would be refunded.
Who is eligible for the sponsor licence priority service?
In order to be eligible for the sponsor licence priority service, you need to meet the following criteria:
- You have to be using the online application form for an eligible route.
- You have to have paid the application fee and priority service fee.
- You need to have provided all mandatory and supplementary documents
Documents need to be provided within five working days of paying the priority fee. If you are adding the priority service to an existing application, you must have already provided all relevant documents. If your application is marked as “in progress”, you will no longer be able to apply for the priority service.
Which routes are eligible for this service?
Not every route is eligible for the sponsor licence priority service. There are also daily limits on the number of priority service slots available. If you are not presented with the option during your application process, your application either isn’t eligible, or there aren’t any slots left for that day.
The following routes are not eligible for the priority service:
- GBM UK Expansion Worker
- GBM Service Supplier
- GBM Secondment Worker
- Scale-up Worker
- Government Authorised Exchange
- International Agreement
- Seasonal Worker
The Home Office also limits the priority service to 30 requests per day. So, submitting your application earlier in the day will increase your chances of being able to access this service.
What are the benefits of the sponsor licence priority service?
The main benefit of choosing the priority service is that you will receive a decision much faster. This can help to streamline your recruitment plans and enable you to start hiring international talent.
Without the priority service, it could take eight weeks or more to receive a decision. When you consider that a Skilled Worker visa also takes a similar amount of time to process, it could be four months before you are able to bring in new workers from overseas.
If you’re in a hurry to get started with the hiring process, then choosing the priority service will be a logical choice for your business.
What are the disadvantages of the sponsor licence priority service?
The main disadvantage of this service is the additional cost. Gaining the credentials to be able to sponsor overseas workers is not cheap, and these are additional recruitment costs you will need to consider.
The cost of hiring one overseas Worker can quickly add up, particularly if you are considered to be a medium to large company. You will need to pay:
- UK visa sponsor application fee – £1476
- Priority service fee (optional) – £500
- Certificate of Sponsorship – £199 per worker
- Immigration skills charge – Up to £5000 per worker
Alongside the cost, there is also the chance that your application could be rejected. In this instance, your priority service fee will not be refunded. You would need to submit a new application and pay the fee again if you need an express decision.
The best way to avoid this is to work with an immigration expert to prepare your application. It’s possible to nominate an immigration solicitor to act as a representative of your company, ensuring a streamlined application process.
How long will my application take without the priority service?
If you don’t pay the additional fee for the priority service, or if this service isn’t available to you, expect to wait around 8 weeks for a decision on your application. This could be longer if you submit complex supporting documents or if the Home Office needs to verify the authenticity of your application and supporting documents.
You may also have a visit from a Home Office representative to make sure your business is equipped to manage the requirements for sponsors. Checkout Best Immigration Lawyers in London UK
